GRAND DUKE MING JIAN (1368-1644 AD)

Grand Duke Ming Jian is a 1:1 replica of an early to mid dynasty Ming Jian.   During the Ming Dynasty, high ranking princes and ministers preferred Jian as their side arms and as a symbol of culture and status. 

Grand Duke Ming Jian features a beautiful blade designed for cutting and thrusting. Both edges run almost parallel to each other with subtle tapering and end in a angular shaped tip.  White Serpent has the Ming classic Gourd and Lingzhi hilt design but executed in delicate open metal work, project a sense of lightness and transparency.  Geometric brass fittings and handsome  rosewood scabbard contrast nicely with elaborate hilt that give the  Grand Duke a distinctive Ming era flair.

Specifications

All measurements are approximations

Each handmade sword is unique

Sword only weight:  approx. 1052 g (2 lb. 5.11 oz)

Blade length: 77 cm (30.3")

Handle plus hand guard length: 23 cm (9")

Total length: 100 cm (39.3")

Gentle tapering

Width at hand guard: 33 mm,  Width at tip: 22 mm   

Thickness: 6.5 mm - 2.0 mm at the tip

POB:  approx. 5.5 cm (2.16") from hand guard

Blade Profile: diamond 4 surfaces

Folded pattern steel: 

1065 carbon steel + T9 tungsten-vanadium high-speed tool steel.

1065 carbon steel

Element % 

Carbon            0.55-0.660    

Manganese     0.60-0.90           

Phosphorus     <=0.040         

Sulfur               <=0.050 

T9 tungsten-vanadium high-speed tool steel.

Element %                      

Carbon            0.85-0.94

Silicon              <=0.35           

Manganese     <=0.40           

Phosphorus     <=0.035         

Sulfur               <=0.030

Tungsten         <= 0.30

Vanadium       <= 0.02        

Chromium       <=0.25           

Nickel               <=0.20 

Copper            <=0.25

Molybdenum  <= 0.20

Superior heat treatment:  

Hardness 54-55 HRC. 

Blade rebounds to true after bending,  

Cut bamboo with ease.

Hand polish to smooth soft shine and sword sharp edge.

Fittings

The pommel is in Ming classic gourd design symbolize Fortune and Wealth, the hand guard is in the  "Lingzhi" classic design symbolize Longevity. However, these classic designs are precision casted to recreate the intricate Lòukōng (鏤空)  consists of the words lòu (鏤), "to carve", and kōng (空), "hollow".  It is used to describe pierced work, openwork or fretwork. 

Scabbard and Handle

Rosewood scabbard, black-wood handle.

Fit and finish

We perfected the fit and finish of our swords and the final assembly is meticulously performed by our senior craft masters.  It takes a skill craftsman one whole working day to assemble our sword to a precision fit.